Serena Edges Out Sloane for Spot in Indian Wells Quarterfinals

Serena Williams fended off fellow American Sloane Stephens 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday.

The World No. 1 is back playing at Indian Wells since 2001.

“I feel really good. Emotionally I feel ready, and I feel like everything is, you know, kind of behind me,” Williams said.

The two Americans have had a budding rivalry since Stephens upset Serena in the 2013 Australian Open quarterfinals. Stephens has claimed after that match their relationship completely deteriorated.

“She’s the No. 1 player in the world and she’s a competitor, and that’s it,” Stephens said, referring to Williams as a colleague.

“I told her good job and to keep up the good work,” Williams said. “It’s good to see her doing really well again.”

Williams will face No. 27 seed Timea Bacsinszky in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.